Thirty- Fourth Sunday In Ordinary Time 24th November 2024
Feast of Christ the King
Anniversary & Month’s Mind Masses
Mass will be offered for the following people on the occasion of an Anniversary or Month’s Mind. We remember them, their families and loved ones in our prayers.
Sunday 24th November 10.00am Bridie Gillespie
Sunday 24th November 12Noon Frances Radcliffe
Monday 25th November 7.30pm Joseph McLoone
Tuesday 26th November 10.00am Deceased Members of Legion of Mary
Tuesday 26th November 7.30pm Peggy O’Donnell
Wednesday 27th November 7.30pm Dan Callaghan (Jnr)
Thursday 28th November 7.30pm Myra Barr
Friday 29th November 7.30pm Mary & John Page
Saturday 30th November 6.00pm George McGowan
Baptisms: We Welcome into the family of God:Faith McCallion, Jack Donaldson & Amelia McGeown.
To book a Baptism please contact the Parish office on 028-71262301 during office hours.
Parish Baptismal Dates: Please note Saturday Baptisms are at 3.30pm.
January 2025- 11th, 18th & 25th
February 2025- 8th & 15th
LAST WEEK’S ENVELOPE COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £2381.00
LAST WEEK’S RENOVATION COLLECTION AMOUNTED TO £692.00
The Parish Office: You can contact the Parish Office by phone on 028-71262301 (during office hours) or via email longtower@derrydiocese.org.
Visitation of the Sick at Home & in Hospital. For urgent sick calls to those at home please contact the parish office on 028-71262301 or 02871262894. For urgent sick calls for those in hospital, please ask the duty nurse on the ward to call the Hospital Chaplain. Thank you.
Christmas Mass Bouquets are now available to purchase from the Parish Office Sacristy or each Sunday of Novena, cost £2.00. Long Tower Christmas Cards are also available cost is £5.00 for a packet of 12 cards. Long Tower 2025 Calendars are also available cost £3 each or 2 for £5. They would make an ideal Christmas gift especially for those living away from home. Thank you for your support.
Diocesan Vocations Intercession: That those called by the Lord to be priests of the diocese of Derry will “bear witness to the truth” as they help God’s people to listen to the voice of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, whose Kingdom “will never pass away.”
Annual Solemn Novena in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Nine Sundays before Christmas in Long Tower Church at 6.00pm, continues this Sunday 24th November. The theme of our Novena this year is ‘The Power of Prayer’- Reflecting on the prayer Jesus taught us in this Year of Prayer. Each night will comprise of the Rosary, Novena prayer and petitions with a short talk given by various guest speakers and Eucharistic Healing Ceremony with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. This Sunday evening, we welcome Sr Perpetua McNulty RSM (Sisters of Mercy) as our guest speaker, she is no stranger to Long Tower as a former director of music here and in St Eugene’s Cathedral. Sr Perpetua is well known throughout the Diocese and beyond as Director of Thornhill Ministries which specialises in prayer & faith development. She will speak on the line from the Lord’s Prayer: ‘forgive us our trespasses’. We assure Sr Perpetua a very warm welcome back to Long Tower and wish her and our Parish every blessing as we continue our Novena in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. We encourage everybody, including those in particular need of healing in their lives to join us.
Padre Pio Intercede for Us
Padre Pio Mass for Healing in Mind & Body continues this Monday 25th November at 7.30pm Through the gift of this Mass we will unite in prayer with all who are ill, unwell, feeling isolated and struggling with the pressures of life. We pray to be surrounded by the light and warmth of God’s love to heal us at this time. We hope at the end of each Mass to give a Blessing using a 1st class relic of Padre Pio. The Mass will be streamed via our parish website: www.longtowerchurch.org then click on the link for the webcam or alternatively by logging on to www.churchmedia.tv. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Praying with the Scriptures – Lectio Divina: As we prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas, there will be an opportunity to pray with the Scriptures using the method of Lectio Divina for the Sunday Gospels of Advent. This will take place in Aras Colmcille from 11am-12Noon on the following Thursday’s; 28th November, 5th ,12th & 19th December. The programme will also be held from 8pm-9pm on the following Tuesday’s; 26th November, 3rd, 10th & 17th December. Leaflets will be provided!
Memories of The Long Tower and Brandywell: A collection of old cine film transferred to DVD, taken from1950’s onward. The pack contains a double DVD with many clips of Derry in the 50’s up to 1980’s. Much of the footage was filmed in the Brandywell area and the Long Tower School. Cost £10.00, available from Parish office and Aras Cholmcille.
Christmas Toy Appeal: Long Tower Parish will be a drop off point for anyone who would like to donate toys etc on wish list of families on Christmas list of local charity ‘Free Uniform Scheme’ run by Jemimah Armstrong. If anyone needs support in the Long Tower area you can leave info with Fr Mongan or contact Jemimah directly: on 07873882301Jemimah198630@hotmail.com. Items can be left at Parochial House, Monday to Thursday between 2pm and 4pm. Thank you for your support.
Concern Worldwide Christmas Appeal: CONCERN is facing huge demands on its resources this Christmas and appeals for your help by donating at the Appeals Office, Millennium Forum, Derry on Friday 29th and Saturday 30th November ONLY from 10am until 6pm.
Thornhill Ministries’ Crib Festival: The Festival is being held this year in ‘The Den’ 37 Melmount Road, Strabane on Sat 30th Nov & Sun 1st Dec. 11am – 5.30 pm. A unique event inviting us into the Story of Christmas through a truly inspirational display. Children will love it! And so will the adults!!
Radio Maria Ireland Christmas Fundraiser! Join us on Thursday 28th November in the Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny. Doors open at 6pm followed by a four course meal, live music information about Radio Maria and its Mission, Vision and how it can help support the faithful in Ireland today. To book your ticket (€65/£60 per person) go to Eventbrite.ie or to book over the phone or for more information, call the studio on 01 4 123456 or more info (inc. the other Fundraisers) on www.radiomaria.ie.
Termonbacca Carmelite Retreat Centre, Derry will hold a Sr Clare Crockett Advent Retreat- Friday 29th November- Sunday 1st December in preparation for Christmas. The weekend is open to both women and men. Cost £100 residential/ £70 non-residential. For further details and bookings, contact 71 262512 or email termonbaccaderry@gmail.com.
A Christmas Afternoon Tea & Wreath making workshop in Termonbacca Carmelite Retreat Centre on Saturday 7th December from 12-3pm. The price is £30pp which includes all materials. All proceeds will go to our Anam Óg youth group. Sunday 15th December at 3pm Termonbacca Carmelite Retreat Centre will have a family Christmas Bingo bonanza with Santa and friends. Refreshments, raffles and lots more on the day. Bingo books are £5 per adult and £3 per child. All proceeds will go to our Anam Óg Youth group. Pre booking required Contact 02871262152.
St Mary’s College Christmas Craft Fair (Northland Road, Derry), Saturday 30th November 2024, 11.00am – 4.00pm. £1 Entry – Over 70 stalls – Café – Santa – Great family day out!
Join Precious Life on Thursday, December 5th at Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny at 7:30 PM for the exciting launch of Life Link, a groundbreaking all-Ireland pregnancy care initiative! Be part of this inspiring evening as we unveil our plans for a powerful new support network dedicated to protecting unborn babies and empowering women across Ireland to choose life. For more information, please contact, Precious Life on (NI) 028 90278484 / (ROI) 048 2890278484
Derry Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2025: led by Bishop Donal McKeown, from Monday 30 June to Friday 4 July, leaving from City of Derry Airport. Price £849 plus insurance and single supplement if required. The Pilgrimage Office at 164 Bishop Street, Derry BT48 6UJ will not be open for booking until Saturday 1 February 2025, 11.00am to 1.00pm (and each following Saturday and Thursday at the same time unless notified). However, Gift Vouchers are now available from the Pastoral Centre, 164 Bishop Street, Derry. Also, enquiries can be made by email to derrypilgrim@outlook.com
Christmas Carols by Candlelight followed by Live Crib at 5pm, at St Patrick’s Church, Crossroads, Killygordon, on Sunday 15th December. Hot Chocolate will be served! Everyone is welcome.
ADVENT RETREAT: Emmanuel – He meets you where you are: This Advent season, step away from the busyness of life and enter a sacred space of quiet reflection and prayer. Join the Columba Community for their retreat on Sunday 8 December at 11.00am in St Anthony’s Retreat Centre, Dundrean, Burnfoot, Co Donegal, Eircode: F93NF76. Find stillness, experience guided prayer, with Adoration and Eucharist. Deepen your spiritual journey during this holy season as we prepare our hearts for the birth of Christ. Booking is essential tel: (00353)0749384866. A Light lunch is provided, suggested donation £20.
Pilgrimage to Medjugorje direct from Belfast from 5th to 12th September 2025 with Spiritual Director, Fr. Michael McCaul. Flights and half board in 4 star Leone Hotel is £849 with special offer of £100 discount if paid in full by 29th November. Contact Maria Bradley at 02881648357 or WhatsApp 07768395038.
Pilgrimages To Medjugorje 2025: Bookings are now being taken for two Pilgrimages to Medjugorje. 7th May from City of Derry Airport, £745 per person sharing. 2nd July from Belfast International Airport, £765 per person sharing. Cost includes return flights, accommodation and meals. Additional charge for single room occupancy. For both Pilgrimages there is a £50 discount if deposit paid before 31st January. Pilgrimages are organised through Marian Pilgrimages (Dublin). Early booking strongly recommended. For more details, please contact John Murray on 0780 1105575.
Millenium Forum- Aladdin – Accessible Performances: Wednesday 4 December @ 7pm – Signed Performance, Saturday 7 December @ 2pm – Relaxed & Dementia Friendly & Sunday 22 December @ 1.30pm – Audio Described. Tickets for this performances are on-sale through our box office (02871 264455 choose option 1) or on our website www.millenniumforum.co.uk
Trócaire School Volunteers: Are you a retired teacher or someone who has experience presenting to groups of school children? Do you have a passion for making this world a better place, especially for the most vulnerable? Trócaire is looking for volunteers to support our 2025 Lent Appeal in the Derry Diocese. If you think you have the right skills and experience and will be available to help during school hours over Lent, then we would love to hear from you. Full training and ongoing support will be provided. For more information, please call Naomi Purnell on 028 9080 8033 or email naomi.purnell@trocaire.org.
GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS: Is Gambling affecting your life? Perhaps we can help. Tel 028 7135 1329.
